Bad Intentions

It's been now a year since Normani and I broke up and I still haven't found anybody. Honestly, I wasn't searching for love at all, I had too much to focus on. Currently, I had been on tour and focusing on something big that I'm doing. Something that I wouldn't normally think about doing.

"How many songs do you have in this thing?" Barbara asked, flicking through the pages of my music journal.

"I have no idea," I chuckled, thinking there's possible over a thousands words in that journal she was holding. The journal has small little lyrics, like poems, that I would then transfer over to a bigger sized paper. There had been full songs in there too, but doodles as well. It was more so of a personal item I owned.

Cookie walked into the hotel lobby and held up one finger and I nodded. She had been waiting for this guy to show up and it was obvious she was getting frustrated by the minute, he promised to be here at 3PM.

I watched as Cookie constantly checked her watched and threw her arms down. I couldn't help but chuckle at the fact that she was becoming angrier.

"Why aren't you frustrated that he hasn't showed up?" The brunette questioned, tilting her head and looking at me. "You're the one he wanted to have a meeting with." She raised her brows, seeming frustrated herself.

Honestly, I was frustrated, but I've reading this book that said I shouldn't allow myself to get frustrated. Often on tour I'd find myself either getting frustrated, upset, or anything along the lines of having negative energy. I just have to take deep breathes and know that whatever I need to get down will get done, and stressing about it won't do me any justice. This tour, I don't want to be drained.

I leaned down and picked up the book underneath my chair. I waved the book around in the air at Barbara. "It says not to stress or worry, it'll only make things worse." I informed her.

She rolled her eyes at her. "You've been reading that book all tour." She stated.

I nodded my head. "It helps. Especially when I do begin feeling stressed and what not."

A few moments later, Cookie walked in with the guy she had been waiting for. I raised my brows when I saw the two and shook his hand once she introduced me too him.

"Lauren, this is Lance Greene, he'll be helping you write your book." Cookie introduced me to the man. He looked like he was in his late thirties, early forties. His hair had been almost like a buzz cut, it was dark black, with little specks of gray. Stubble as a beard, same color as his hair, and rectangular glasses.

He smiled showing his teeth as he shook my hand. "My daughter is a big fan of yours," he said, taking a seat across from me. "When I told her about this deal, she flipped out." He laughed lightly.

I reciprocated the laugh and looked at Cookie who had looked like she wanted to say something. "He's an amazing ghostwriter, and I'm pretty sure you two will work together just well." She said with a cheesy smile on her face.

I looked away from her and at Lance. "So how is this going to work?" I asked him.

"Simple," he first said, pulling out his laptop. "You tell me about your life, and I'll jot it down, and make it more," he paused, searching for the proper word. "Descriptive."

I looked over at Cookie, and frowned a bit. She looked at me, with a begging look not to give up the offer. I looked down at my fingers and played with them for a bit.

I loved writing and I always wanted to have my own book, so everyone could understand my story. Now, I've been through a lot of ups and downs, I think it's right to put it out there so everyone could know the truth.

For my book, I pictured me writing it. Writing everything word for word, and publishing it myself. Not having a ghostwriter. Unfortunately, my management wants my book out at a certain time and not want me to take longer than expected.

The reason for the ghostwriter is to make it go faster. So it's on shelves sooner or later.

I leaned over to the side and reached for the papers underneath my chair. "Well, if it's okay, I have some stuff jotted down already, maybe we can put this in the book as well?" I indirected, for sure wanting what I had written in my book.

Lance nodded easily. "Of course, it is your book." He smiled. "Now, I just need to know a little bit more about you," He said, shifting in his seat to get comfortable. "Who is Lauren Jauregui?"

I puckered my lips and looked away, thinking deeply about the question. "Lauren is some who faces struggles, but still manages to remain positive." I answered after taking a minute to find the proper answer.

He pushed his glasses up on his face and began typing away. "Childhood?" He asked, his eyes still on the screen of his laptop.

"I grew up in Miami, my mom left me and my siblings, practically letting my dad be a single dad." I informed him. "I always had a thing for singing, but growing up, I wanted to be a softball player. My mom wanted me to be an architect, but it wasn't my thing. She hated the fact I loved music and sports."

I heard him press down on the keys of the keyboard and he looked up at me from his glasses. "Softball, my daughter plays that too." He chuckled, resuming back to his typing.

We sat there for about an hour, putting my book together. When it got closer for the time my show would start, we started wrapping it up. He shut down his laptop and shoved it in his bag, standing up to shake off my hand goodbye.

"I'll often be in contact with you, to finish the book up. We can either FaceTime, call, whatever is easier for you. The faster we get this done, the closer it comes to the book being finished."

I nodded my head, agreeing with him. "That'll be fine." I smiled reassuringly. "Now, you said, if I write something and I want it to be in the book, it will?" I asked once again.

He laughed a bit. "Yes, it'll be in the book. I'll just proof read, maybe change some words here and there. Most likely I won't have to you, your writing is amazing."

I blushed at the compliment I received. I watched as he began to gather up his things and shove them into his bag. "Well, I'm going to let you get to your show, I will be watching in the crowd with my daughters." He mentioned.

I smiled and laughed as well. "Hopefully I'll see you in the crowd." I commented before finally left.

I looked over at Cookie and noticed she had been looking at him. Once she turned around, she noticed how I had my arms crossed over my chest and my brow arched. "What?" She asked, trying to hid the smirk behind her face.

I shook my head and raised my hands in the air. "Nothing."

She narrowed her eyes at me and I sighed heavily. "Lauren, you have a show to do in fifteen minutes. You haven't done vocal warm ups and you haven't changed into your tour outfit." She changed the subject quickly, waving a finger up and down my body.

I looked at my outfit then up at her. "Some of these artist change into actual costumes that require fifteen minutes. You're lucky to have someone like me who changes in under ten minutes." I sassed, trying my best not to bust out laughing. She looked at me angrily and I smirked and started laughing.

"Are you sure you want to do this book?" She questioned.

I nodded my head confidently. "People need to know what happened and what's happening."

She frowned a bit. "Alright Lauren." She sounded a bit doubtful about the book and I didn't like that. If you're going to be my manager, support me.

"What's wrong?" I turned towards her and asked before walking out.

She shook her head. "Nothing," she said. She hesitated a bit and sighed afterwards. "I just don't want people to think you're bullshitting."

"Let them think that," I said waving my hand dismissively. "Only I know the truth and the people who believe in me know the truth." I smiled at her.

"You're not going to say anything stupid are you?"

"When have I said something stupid?" I questioned arching my brow. "I got this Cookie." I winked at her.

I patted her on her shoulder and jogged to my dressing room to get ready for the show. "Lauren, you need to hurry your ass up, you don't have that much time." Ally informed me, watching as I scrambled around the room.

"I got this, I just need to find my..." I paused and looked at Ally who had been holding my in ears. "These," I said grabbing them from her. "Thank you." I smiled.

I rushed to the stage and security handed me my mic. We said a quick prayer and I could hear the fans chanting my name. I got chills from it and I couldn't wait to go on stage.

I got on stage and saw all the fans, screaming, jumping up and down, their flashes on, and it made me so happy. They were so excited to see me and I was excited to see them. Every time I'm on stage, I always love hearing the fans. It felt like home. I'm surrounded by people that actually are here for my music, ever since day one and some new fans.

After the show, I had to rush to my dressing room before I got to my tour bus. I took off all of my makeup and changed into more comfortable clothes. It was strange being in a such a small room, all by myself, after hearing all the fans screaming. It was pure quietness.

There was a knock on my door and I gave them approval to come in. Normani walked through the door and I was pretty surprised to see her. "I didn't know you were coming tonight!" I told her, greeting her with a hug.

"I thought I should surprise you," she smiled once we released from the hug. "You looked amazing up there." She complimented me.

I raised my brows and smiled widely. "Thank you, it felt amazing up there." I commented. "It feels weird just being in a quiet room after all that screaming." I chuckled.

She nodded her head in agreement. "I know how that feels."

"How are you and Diggy?"I asked, since I noticed how she hadn't brought him up in a while.

She rolled her eyes, "We broke up like a couple months ago." She informed me.

My jaw dropped and I covered my mouth. "Seriously?! You guys seemed to be on pretty good terms."

She frowned a bit. "It's not that we were mad at each other, I just wasn't feeling the relationship anymore." She mentioned.

I raised one of my brows and nodded. "That's understandable. You meet anybody new or you're planning on being single for a while?" I asked her.

She shrugged a bit. "I've went on a couple dates here and there, but I don't really have an eye for somebody yet."

I got an idea in my head, but I was pretty nervous to ask her. "Well, in celebration of single Mani, I was wondering if I could take you out?" Dammit Lauren.

She arched her brow and crossed her arms over her chest. "Take me out, like a date?" She questioned.

I shook my head quickly, even though a date would be nice. "No, just as two single friends. I don't know maybe we came play each other's wingwoman." I winked at her.

She laughed and shook her head. "You just got off stage and now you're in sweats and a tee shirt, you sure you wanna go out?"

"I don't mind changing, I could use a few drinks." I shrugged a bit. "Don't worry, I'm not going to get crazy drunk either." I added on since I noticed the look on her face when I mentioned "a few drinks."

"Whatever you say Lauren," She stated.

I smiled at her. "Well, looks like I gotta change!"

Normani took me to this bar that was also a nightclub. She claims it's very popular in Houston and whenever she comes home it's one of her favorite places to go.

We got to the booth and the waitress came and took our orders. "You know, I've always liked hanging out with you." I started, moving my menu to the side.

Normani smiled at me and then chuckled. "Stop flirting Lauren." She assumed shaking her head as she continued to look at her menu.

"What?! I wasn't flirting, just speaking the truth. If I was, it would've been different." I winked.

She rolled her eyes and looked past me. "You should go talk to him, he keeps looking at you ever since we walked in." She nodded her head in the direction of this guy who had been with his friends.

I turned around and looked at him and he smiled at me. I reciprocated and turned back towards Normani who looked a bit excited. "So are you gonna talk to him?" She asked me.

I shook my head. "Nah, laying low on the relationships right now."

"Or are you waiting?"

I furrowed my brows confused by what she meant. "What for what?"

She looked down at her menu and shook her head. "Nothing." She answered quickly.

I finally caught on by what she meant, but I played it cool like I didn't know. "Whatever." I said, looking at her out the corner of my eye.

She looked up from her menu and her eyes caught on someone. I turned and looked in her direction and sighed once I saw the guy walking towards us.

I groaned annoyedly and placed my hand on my forehead. "Be nice!" Normani whispered to me, continuing to smile at the guy coming towards us.

His shoes caught my eye and I knew I couldn't just stare at my menu like I've been doing, so I had no choice but to look at him.

"Hi ladies," he greeted us with a smile. We said hi back and I have him a fake smile. "I hope you both are having a great night," he mentioned to us, his eyes stayed on me.

"Yes we are," Normani smiled, looking over at me. "How about you?" She asked him.

"It's good, but it would be even better if I got your friend a drink, and I don't know, maybe talk to her?" He suggested, looking over at me.

Hell no. "Um," I started, taping my finger against my lip. "I'm with someone already."

"I'm pretty sure they won't know about it," he smirked, sipping on his drink.

"Oh but they do," I chuckled.

"What do you mean?"

"If you haven't noticed," I started, I looked at Normani and she seemed just as confused as the guy in front of us. "I'm in the middle of a date." I stated.

He furrowed his brows and pointed towards Normani. I looked at her and she had been staring at me really hard, wanting me not to say me and her are on a date.

"No, double date I'm sorry," I told him, Normani's body relaxed and she sat back. He furrowed his brows confused by where our dates were. "You see, my date is walking in right now," I said, pointing towards a random guy walking in.

He looked in our direction, and I waved at him and he waved back. I motioned him over towards the table and he did as instructed. I have no clue where this is going.

"See, this is my date." I said moving out from the booth and latching onto the muscular guy.

"Oh," Was all the other guy could say. "Well, have fun on your date," he mentioned. "I'm sorry about that, I didn't know." His whole attitude changed and he seemed pretty disappointed.

My "date" smiled at me and raised his brows at me and I pushed him away. He went back with the people he came in with and I took a seat back in the booth.

"You are so extra and rude," Normani chuckled, shaking her head at me.

"I'm not trying to get with anyone, I wish people would recognize that. Plus, if I was in a relationship, he didn't take it into consideration. He wanted me to get with him either way." I mentioned pointing towards the previous guy.

Normani shook her head and looked at the waitress as she came and dropped off our drinks. We had a moment of silent, simply probably because we didn't know what to say to each other. We have been texting each other since we met up for dinner that one day, but we've never really been face to face since that day.

I started a promo tour, and she had started her tour, so we never really saw each other. We could talk to each other perfectly fine through text messages, FaceTime, and on the phone, but face to face, it was different.

All I could do, the whole time we sat in silence was think about what I should say, but none of the things I wanted to say sounded good. Everything was lame and boring.

"You got any plans for Valentine's Day?" She asked me.

"That's like a month away," I chuckled. "I'm not even dating anybody."

"Sheesh, sorry for trying to strike up a conversation after the longest awkward silence moment we've ever had." She replied.

"It's only awkward if you say it's awkward." I commented.

She groaned and rolled her eyes. "Stop being difficult, just answer the question."

I laughed at her and watched as she rolled her eyes annoyedly. "I'm not doing anything at all. I have the day off and I'm in Miami, I might just hang out with my family."

She nodded her head and looked away. I knew what she was doing. She wanted me to ask her what she was doing.

"Are you going to ask me?" Normani asked after a couple seconds.

I laughed and nodded. "Just trying to make things awkward."

"They're only awkward if you say they're awkward." She mocked me, deepening her voice.

I narrowed my eyes at her and she shrugged, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "What are you doing for Valentine's Day?" I asked.

"Nothing at all," she laughed.

"Wow, I wasn't expecting that!" I said sarcastically.

"Shut up."

"Make me." I kinked my brow, leaning forward on the table.

"Oh I will," she said, raising her brows. "Watch."

She got up and I gulped once I saw she was taking a seat next to me. She inched closer to me, and I felt my palms become sweaty, and my heart raced.

She leaned towards my ear and the complete opposite of what I thought she was about to do or say happened.

"I have many reaction pictures of you that we can add onto your fandoms collection." She whispered in my ear.

I looked at her disappointedly and sighed. "You wouldn't."

She pulled out her phone and scrolled through her pictures, and it was all the ones I sent her over snapchat. "Think I won't?" She clicked on one and pressed the Twitter icon.

"Fine I'll shut up!"

She turned and looked at me and smiled. "You always do what I say." She smirked.

"Only because you blackmail me!"

"And other reasons," she stated, shrugging her shoulder.

"What other reasons?"

"Nothing." She smirked mischievously.

I narrowed my eyes at her and watched as she scrolled through her phone. She thinks I don't know what she's talking about, but I really do. It's so obvious.

After the night was over, she drove me to my hotel room.

"What are you doing for the rest of the night?" I asked her before heading inside.

"I'm going to my parent's house, I haven't seen them in a minute, so I gotta check up on everything. Why?" She asked curiously.

I shook my head and waved my hand. "Nothing, just wanted to hang out a bit longer, but I'd rather you catch up with your family." I told her.

She smiled at me and I reciprocated the smile. "You doing anything tomorrow?" I asked.

"No, why?"

"Tomorrow's my last day in Houston and I was wondering if we could hang out. I can get you backstage at the show."

She smiled and nodded her head. "Sounds great."

"Cool, I'll call you in the morning, answer your phone." I reminded her, since she has a bad habit of not answering her phone in the morning.

"I will!" She said annoyedly.

"Alright, well Imma go inside, see you tomorrow." I said once I opened the door.

"Wait," she said before I could step foot inside. I turned and looked at her. "I don't get a hug?" She pouted a bit.

I tried to hold myself back from blushing too hard at her adorable little puppy dog face. I walked towards the girl and wrapped my arms around her as we hugged. It felt like old times, and this was a hug where I didn't want to let go at all.

Once we released from the hug, our gazes met. She quickly looked down at the floor and played with her fingers. "I'm going to get going, it's getting late."

I nodded my head agreeing with her. "Yeah, I'll just see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, see ya." She said, waving awkwardly before darting down the hallway.

Once I got inside, I shook my head and smirked. Normani was still the one I wanted. No matter how many people came up to me, how many beautiful people I had around me, I still had my eyes on her, and they will always be on her.

I'm afraid I will never get over her.

AN: this was a cute, short, little chapter! Definitely could sense a bit of tension between the two! A lot more is coming and I'm very happy you guys stuck around to read this. Currently, I'm in the process of my second story, so be on the look out for that one! I should be posting it sometime soon. I don't know when my updates will be, they'll be completely random, I'll tell you that though lol. I have a couple more days left of school, so updates should be more frequent. (If I don't have writers block) thanks for reading! Don't forget to comment, vote, and share it :)

Raven